Education

Research Description

Aquacultural, resource and water engineering; coastal bioengineering

Honors and Awards

• Sedberry Outstanding Graduate Professor (LSU-COA), 2011
• Gamma Sigma Delta Teaching Award of Merit, 2013

Publications

View publications on Google Scholar

Grants

Sea Grant StriperHub: Commercial Striped Bass Hatchery, Fingerling Production, and Intensive Larval Rearing

NCSU Sea Grant Program(7/01/22 - 6/30/25)

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Sea Grant StriperHub: Commercial Striped Bass Hatchery, Fingerling Production, and Intensive Larval Rearing

Sponsor: NCSU Sea Grant Program

Start Date: 7/01/22

End Date: 6/30/25

Abstract

The seafood trade deficit in the United States (U.S.) has exceeded $16 billion and 80% of the seafood products consumed in the U.S. are of foreign import, half of which are from aquaculture operations. There is no appreciable aquaculture of white-fleshed marine species such as the striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in the country. Development of major marine aquaculture species would aid in strengthening a domestic seafood industry and bring economic prosperity to coastal and rural communities of the U.S. Relative to other marine fishes, the striped bass is a well-suited candidate to meet the market demand as it is well-recognized and studies show good growth in fresh, brackish, and marine environments. The target market size for the fish has been identified as between 3 and 5 lbs, and value-added striped bass in seafood markets and grocery stores already retail at $18.00 per lb for fillets, with a potential farm-gate value of $4.00-$5.00 or more per lb. The feasibility of commercializing striped bass at a fairly rapid pace is already established as well, to the extent that a commercial farm currently exists in northern Baja California Mexico (Pacifico Aquaculture) that produces millions of lbs of fish annually into a market large enough to include chain-grocery stores. Research on reproduction, genetics, culture, and feed requirements of striped bass have already been established and the industry shows great potential if the following barriers are addressed: successful intensive larval rearing and year-round juvenile production capabilities. This project will expand the influence of the Sea Grant StriperHub to also include the Great Lakes/Midwest regions (Ohio Sea Grant and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant). Development of intensive larval rearing methods will allow for more widespread availability of domestic striped bass seedstocks for fingerling production and commercial growout in these regions more distant from the base of StriperHub at the Atlantic Coast. Striped bass will be commercially farmed and available in markets by the conclusion of the project and major venture and angel capitalists will be sought for industry upscaling to improve the overall domestic seafood supply in the U.S.

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Improved Understanding of Sediment Dynamics for the Rachel Carson Reserve, North Carolina

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)(10/01/22 - 9/30/23)

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Improved Understanding of Sediment Dynamics for the Rachel Carson Reserve, North Carolina

Sponsor: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Start Date: 10/01/22

End Date: 9/30/23

Abstract

The goal of this project is to generate an improved understanding of sediment dynamics at and around the Rachel Carson Reserve. Specifically, this project seeks to: quantify the magnitude and change in sediment loading rates and sources; determine the mechanisms through which the changing geomorphology of the Beaufort Inlet drives shoreline change and sediment dynamics; and examine the degree of geomorphological change caused by extreme storm events and its impacts on the habitat and infrastructure resiliency. The project team will collaborate with the N.C. Coastal Reserve and NERR to produce: a functional numerical model that can be used to simulate sediment dynamics at and around the Reserve; and maps that show the variability of vulnerability indexes within the Reserve to pronounced geomorphological change and its impact on sediment dynamics. It is envisioned that results of this project will generate: an improved understanding of how the interaction between extreme storm events, river systems, and coastal processes impact sediment dynamics at and around the Reserve; refined decision making and management for engineering practices at the Beaufort Inlet; and an improved understanding of the impact of sediment dynamics on the vulnerability of coastal habitats and infrastructure for informing effective resilience planning.

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USB Oleic-Acid Aquaculture Feed Study at MARC

United Soybean Board(9/07/21 - 3/31/22)

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USB Oleic-Acid Aquaculture Feed Study at MARC

Sponsor: United Soybean Board

Start Date: 9/07/21

End Date: 3/31/22

Abstract

A study of high oleic soybean at various inclusions in aquaculture feed will be done to ascertain optimal inclusion for domesticated striped bass Morone saxatilis in recirculating aquaculture systems. Also, effectiveness of transfer of desired lipids to fish flesh will be measured, and overall survival, health and growth of fish will be studied to find optimal inclusion of a more plant based fish diet.

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Managing Larval Feeding for Improved Survival by Reduction of Artemia Use and Replacement with Fortified Rotifers or Artificial Feeds

US Dept. of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA)(9/01/21 - 5/31/23)

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Managing Larval Feeding for Improved Survival by Reduction of Artemia Use and Replacement with Fortified Rotifers or Artificial Feeds

Sponsor: US Dept. of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA)

Start Date: 9/01/21

End Date: 5/31/23

Abstract

The goal of this study is to address challenges related to feeding economically important cultured fish. The study is divided into 3 parts: 1) Feeding systems, 2) innovative inert feeds, and 3) Nutritional improvement with live foods. To address Objective 1 of the project, this proposal seeks to automate feeding of live feeds in aquaculture by developing an automated system for feeding Artemia to larval fish. Larval finfish often require live foods. One of the most popular larval foods is Artemia, often wild harvested from the Great Salt Lake or other areas. However, there are limits to the wild harvest, so alternatives that can reduce dependency on Artemia could have positive ecological but also economic implications. Part of the challenge is the methods by which feeding is done at specific culture stages, requiring customized hand feeding at substantial labor and expertise. It is likely that, in the interests of keeping larval finfish alive, excess feeding occurs. This is often, then, an inefficient and expensive endeavor that merits improvement. Automation in aquaculture has a significant history. Over the years, there have been substantial improvements in equipment and monitoring, especially of water quality, but also of feeding, fish health, utility management and other areas. Some commercially available systems can feed pellets (e.g. AKVA akvasmart; Fish Farm; Pentair and other suppliers); or even pump solutions into fish tanks. However, automated feeding of live Artemia is still at a primitive state. What is needed is a liquid based, controlled flow system that allows high levels of survival as well as efficient movement of the Artemia to the feeding fish. This proposal would significantly improve automated Artemia feeding with a focus on precision dosing and at intervals required to meet the needs of the fish being cultured. This type of system can then be used to enhance the weaning process to inert feeds, thus reducing the amount of total Artemia used in larval culture and simultaneously removing significant labor costs and possible human error. Our team has personal motivation to reduce “all night” feeding of larval fish, thus enhancing human health and thought, and ultimately enhancing fish health and development. To address Objective 2 of the project, a series of investigations are proposed in two parts. 1) Evaluate the efficacy of commercial larval microdiets as successful replacements for Artemia as early/first feeds of important marine and freshwater fish species, including southern flounder, striped bass and red drum, as well as freshwater zebrafish. The diets will be chosen which represent the breadth of products currently marketed as Artemia replacement diets and fed according to the unique requirements of the species in the trial. 2) Evaluate the role of texture as a significant palatability variable in fish microdiets. This poorly understood, yet critical, physical characteristic will be examined by comparing textural elements of the commercial diets in part 1 with experimental diets we will manufacture using innovative marumerization technology. The experimental diets will be based on a larval diet formulation known to be successful for both freshwater and marine species. The overall project will evaluate both the commercial and experimental diets based on attraction and ingestion, in concert with a comparison of physical characteristics focusing on texture. The results of this work will provide unique insight into microdiet characteristics required for acceptance by larval fish by addressing physical constraints affecting palatability when compared to live Artemia. To address Objective 3 of the project, a series of investigations are proposed to nutritionally augment live food organisms already enriched with long-chain highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), with potentially limiting nutrients such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin E, taurine and nucleotides. Enrichment protocols will be developed for each of the nutrients mentioned previously to be augmented in controlled culture

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Collaboration with Local Fish Processing Industry to Convert Fish Trimmings and Skins into Value Added Fish Meal and Fish Oil to Promote Sustainability

US Dept. of Commerce (DOC)(9/01/21 - 8/31/23)

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Collaboration with Local Fish Processing Industry to Convert Fish Trimmings and Skins into Value Added Fish Meal and Fish Oil to Promote Sustainability

Sponsor: US Dept. of Commerce (DOC)

Start Date: 9/01/21

End Date: 8/31/23

Abstract

Fishmeal (FM) and fish oil (FO) are important ingredients for aquaculture fish feed formulations due to their contribution of essential amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. These are beneficial in many ways. However, these ingredients are relatively expensive and rely on wild-caught seasonal harvests. Therefore, we are interested in examining the potential of converting sustainably-sourced salmon processing by-products (fish trimmings and skins; SBP) into components of aquaculture fish feed. In North Carolina, 25,000 lbs of SBP is generated each week from a facility that processes aquacultured salmon into smoked fillets. Currently, most of the SBPs are taken to a landfill. We propose the utilization of SBPs to produce FM and FO that will be substituted in standard feed formulations at 25, 50, 75, and 100% of normal commercial ingredient (FM and FO) inclusion rates. Fish feeds will be formulated to be complete diets, isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Feed ingredients and formulated fish feeds will be analyzed for physicochemical properties related to quality during a 6-month accelerated shelf life study. Initial feed palatability studies will be conducted using a commercial marine aquaculture species (striped bass). Then we will test the efficacy of formulated feeds during 18-week fish feeding trials.

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Cyanobacterial aquaculture to reduce waste, sequester carbon and add value

NCSU Sea Grant Program(8/31/21 - 8/31/22)

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Cyanobacterial aquaculture to reduce waste, sequester carbon and add value

Sponsor: NCSU Sea Grant Program

Start Date: 8/31/21

End Date: 8/31/22

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the cyanobacterial species Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 for bioremediation of aquacultural wastewater. S. elongatus 2973 is the fastest growing cyanobacterial species with 51% carbohydrate content of the dry cell weight at stationary phase under nitrogen replete condition (Song et al., 2016; Tan et al., 2018). The cyanobacterial biomass grown in the aquaculture wastewater will be used to produce sugar via enzymatic saccharification, which can further be used to make various bioderived value-added products. An increase in complex cellular carbohydrates, mostly glycogen content in cyanobacteria, will result in an increase in sugar production. CO2 uptake and the nutrient contents such as nitrogen and phosphorus will optimized to increase the carbohydrate accumulation in S. elongatus 2973 cells. To complement the experiments, stoichiometric metabolic modeling of S. elongatus UTEX 2973 will be performed to predict the growth of the species and glycogen accumulation in biomass under different environmental conditions, such as at varying the CO2 uptake, nitrogen, and phosphorus consumption. Furthermore, the metabolic model of this strain will be used to predict optimal nutrient levels in aquaculture wastewater for carbohydrate accumulation. Current research is limited due to the insufficient utilization of cyanobacterial carbohydrates during sugar production. Therefore, this proposed research also aims to develop a process that can ensure maximum recovery of cyanobacterial carbohydrates by investigating the effect of metal ions on sugar production via enzymatic saccharification of biomass. Incorporating aquaculture effluent in cyanobacterial cultivation as a growth medium can reduce the cost of sugar production by replacing costly growth media with a waste product.

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RAS Biofilter Start-up Using Commercially Available Nitrifier Consortium

Novozymes(9/01/20 - 3/31/21)

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RAS Biofilter Start-up Using Commercially Available Nitrifier Consortium

Sponsor: Novozymes

Start Date: 9/01/20

End Date: 3/31/21

Abstract

It is well recognized that biofilters, commonly used in aquaculture, need an acclimation period both when they are first installed and after any change in environmental conditions such as but not limited to: sanitization procedures; temperature changes; loading changes and other changes. This study will explore a novel bioproduct provided by Novozymes with two sets of comparisons: 1) The biofilters seeded with two recommended levels “low” and “high” of the bioproduct versus naïve biofilters, termed Lo, Hi and N; 2) The biofilters under these conditions with freshwater and marine (35PPT) conditions. All tests will be done in triplicate at cool (15C) water temperatures. Attendant hypotheses are: 1) biofilters seeded with the bioproduct will have faster rates of biodegradation of nitrogenous materials (specifically ammonia and nitrite); and 2) biofilters at warmer conditions will have higher activity rates in general than those at cool temperatures. Both of these hypotheses are likely to be confirmed, and our proposal is focused on quantifying differences under different regimes.

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NRI: INT: Towards the Development of a Customizable Fleet of Autonomous Co-Robots for Advancing Aquaculture Production

National Science Foundation (NSF)(11/01/20 - 10/31/24)

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NRI: INT: Towards the Development of a Customizable Fleet of Autonomous Co-Robots for Advancing Aquaculture Production

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 11/01/20

End Date: 10/31/24

Abstract

Aquaculture, the rearing and harvesting of organisms in water environments, is a rapidly expanding industry that now produces more seafood than all wild caught fisheries worldwide. This inevitable growth must be steered towards sustainable production practices, which requires intensive monitoring in areas that are difficult and potentially dangerous to access. The vision of this project is to improve the efficiency and sustainability of near-shore aquaculture production through integrating a flexible, customizable, multi-task vehicle fleet, consisting primarily of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), with a biologically-relevant framework for accelerated prototyping. This project will use oyster production along the Eastern US shoreline as a case study and testbed.

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Managing Larval Feeding for Improved Survival by Reduction of Artemia Use and Replacement with Fortified Rotifers or Artificial Feeds

US Dept. of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA)(9/01/20 - 5/31/23)

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Managing Larval Feeding for Improved Survival by Reduction of Artemia Use and Replacement with Fortified Rotifers or Artificial Feeds

Sponsor: US Dept. of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA)

Start Date: 9/01/20

End Date: 5/31/23

Abstract

The goal of this study is to address challenges related to feeding economically important cultured fish. The study is divided into 3 parts: 1) Feeding systems, 2) innovative inert feeds, and 3) Nutritional improvement with live foods. To address Objective 1 of the project, this proposal seeks to automate feeding of live feeds in aquaculture by developing an automated system for feeding Artemia to larval fish. Larval finfish often require live foods. One of the most popular larval foods is Artemia, often wild harvested from the Great Salt Lake or other areas. However, there are limits to the wild harvest, so alternatives that can reduce dependency on Artemia could have positive ecological but also economic implications. Part of the challenge is the methods by which feeding is done at specific culture stages, requiring customized hand feeding at substantial labor and expertise. It is likely that, in the interests of keeping larval finfish alive, excess feeding occurs. This is often, then, an inefficient and expensive endeavor that merits improvement. Automation in aquaculture has a significant history. Over the years, there have been substantial improvements in equipment and monitoring, especially of water quality, but also of feeding, fish health, utility management and other areas. Some commercially available systems can feed pellets (e.g. AKVA akvasmart; Fish Farm; Pentair and other suppliers); or even pump solutions into fish tanks. However, automated feeding of live Artemia is still at a primitive state. What is needed is a liquid based, controlled flow system that allows high levels of survival as well as efficient movement of the Artemia to the feeding fish. This proposal would significantly improve automated Artemia feeding with a focus on precision dosing and at intervals required to meet the needs of the fish being cultured. This type of system can then be used to enhance the weaning process to inert feeds, thus reducing the amount of total Artemia used in larval culture and simultaneously removing significant labor costs and possible human error. Our team has personal motivation to reduce “all night” feeding of larval fish, thus enhancing human health and thought, and ultimately enhancing fish health and development. To address Objective 2 of the project, a series of investigations are proposed in two parts. 1) Evaluate the efficacy of commercial larval microdiets as successful replacements for Artemia as early/first feeds of important marine and freshwater fish species, including southern flounder, striped bass and red drum, as well as freshwater zebrafish. The diets will be chosen which represent the breadth of products currently marketed as Artemia replacement diets and fed according to the unique requirements of the species in the trial. 2) Evaluate the role of texture as a significant palatability variable in fish microdiets. This poorly understood, yet critical, physical characteristic will be examined by comparing textural elements of the commercial diets in part 1 with experimental diets we will manufacture using innovative marumerization technology. The experimental diets will be based on a larval diet formulation known to be successful for both freshwater and marine species. The overall project will evaluate both the commercial and experimental diets based on attraction and ingestion, in concert with a comparison of physical characteristics focusing on texture. The results of this work will provide unique insight into microdiet characteristics required for acceptance by larval fish by addressing physical constraints affecting palatability when compared to live Artemia. To address Objective 3 of the project, a series of investigations are proposed to nutritionally augment live food organisms already enriched with long-chain highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), with potentially limiting nutrients such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin E, taurine and nucleotides. Enrichment protocols will be developed for each of the nutrients mentioned previously to be augmented in controlled cultu

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FACT: Developing Data-to-Decision Pipelines for Agroecosystem Management through High-performance Computing and Big Data Analytics

US Dept. of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA)(8/01/19 - 7/31/24)

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FACT: Developing Data-to-Decision Pipelines for Agroecosystem Management through High-performance Computing and Big Data Analytics

Sponsor: US Dept. of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA)

Start Date: 8/01/19

End Date: 7/31/24

Abstract

The modern availability of novel data analytics and cost-effective high-performance computing creates unique opportunities to tap into the wellspring of potential offered by big data for creating decision-making tools that inform sustainable agroecosystem management. When coupled with climate, land use, and policy-related data streams through analytics, long-term monitoring data can be applied to develop data-driven decision-support tools designed for land and water resource managers, but foundational research is needed to develop such data-rich decision-support platforms. As a case study, this research will develop a data-to-decision pipeline for nearshore water quality management in support of shellfish agroecosystem protection. Shellfish growing areas are regularly screened for coliform bacteria to inform on-the-fly decision-making by regulators who are evaluating the sanitation of cultured shellfish, which has led to the accrual of a vast record of spatiotemporal bacterial observations. These national-scale data remain poorly explored and underutilized due to challenges associated with analyzing big, multi-scale data, but could be mined to develop critically-needed decision-support platforms.

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